Self-blame, self-forgiveness, and spirituality in breast cancer survivors in a public sector setting

Cognitive appraisal affects adjustment to breast cancer. A self-forgiving attitude and spirituality may benefit breast cancer survivors who blame themselves for their cancer. One hundred and eight women with early breast cancers completed questionnaires assessing self-blame, self-forgiveness, spirituality, mood and quality of life (QoL) in an outpatient breast clinic. Women who blamed themselves reported more mood disturbance (p<0.01) and poorer QoL (p<0.01). Women who were more self-forgiving and more spiritual reported less mood disturbance and better QoL (p's<0.01). Interventions that reduce self-blame and facilitate self-forgiveness and spirituality could promote better adjustment to breast cancer.